Designed by the city firm J Rex Roberts & Partners, the first stage (overlooking the Square) of the seven-storey Colonial Mutual Life Building opened in late July 1978. The second stage (adjoining Cuba Street) was then still under construction. Brian Elliott, a partner with the designing architects, said its design was “somewhat revolutionary. The sheer wall and frame construction structure was designed to relate to the Square and was set back from Rangitikei Street to give a vista to the Square for people moving along Rangitikei Street.”
Renamed Westside Buildings, by 2003 this building and the nine storey former Commercial Union building opposite were being converted into accommodation for international students. Branded “@theHUB”, this building became ‘The Hub West’. The Hub West’ was nearly complete by April 2004. In 2012, this building was described as having 62 rooms, of which 50 had their own bathroom facilities. The third floor, however, was occupied by Radioworks.
